The major functions of the stores are as follows:
- Receipt: Receiving and accounting of raw-materials, bought out parts, spares, tools, equipment and other items.
- Storage: Provision of right and adequate storage and preservations to ensure that the stocks do not suffer from damage, pilferage or deterioration.
- Retrieval: Facilitating easy location and retrieval of materials keeping optimum space utilization
- Issue: Fulfilling the demand of consumer departments by proper issue of items on the receipt of authorized purchase requisitions.
- Records: To maintain proper records and update receipt and issue of materials. f) Housekeeping: Keeping the stores clean and in good order so that the handling, preservation, stocking, receipt and issue can be done satisfactorily.
- Control: Keeping a vigil on the discrepancies, abnormal consumptions, accumulation of stocks etc., and enforcing control measures.
- Surplus Management: Minimization of scrap, surplus and obsolescence through proper inventory control, and effective disposal of surplus and obsolete items.
- Verification: Verifying the bin card balances with the physical quantities in the bins and initiating the purchasing cycle at appropriate time so as to avoid the out of stock situations.
- Coordination and cooperation: To coordinate and cooperate with the interfacing departments such as purchasing, manufacturing, production planning and control, inspection, etc.